Page 5 of Georgiana
“Thank you, Hutchins. Would you please find out if they would like some tea while we finish in here?” Lizzy instructed.
“Already taken care of, ma’am.”
Hutchins gave a polite half bow and left the room.
“Brother, I have finished my breakfast, do you mind if I go on ahead and visit with Mary?”
“Of course, Georgie. We shall be along shortly, that is unless Richard fills his plate again, then it’s anybody’s guess when we will be free.”
“Richard can sit here all by himself. I wish to see my sisters.” Lizzy placed her napkin on her empty plate and stood. “Aunt Lucinda, do you care to join us?”
“You read my mind, Elizabeth. I’m more than ready to reacquaint myself with your two sisters.”
The three ladies made their way to the drawing room. With one sweeping glance Georgiana noted Lord George next to a radiant Kitty, and, on the couch across from them sat Mary, quiet as always. Georgiana hurried to her side.
“Mary, I am so glad you’ve come.” She took one of Mary’s hands in hers as she sat next to her and leaned in to whisper. “Were you surprised by Kitty and George’s news?”
“No, even though Kitty swore she’d never marry.” Mary replied, her tone exceedingly dry. “As an unofficial chaperone, I witnessed a few encounters between them. The outcome was inevitable, in my opinion.”
“It sounds so romantic,” Georgiana sighed out. In her mind’s eye she pictured Lord George thundering down the lane on a white horse, snatching Kitty up and demanding she marry him. Much like Lord Godfrey did with Lady Desdemona in the latest novel she’d read.
What would it be like to have someone declare their love so passionately? Her breath hitched at the thought of Maxwell Kerr holding her in such a daring way. Maybe even closer than he had during their dance. Close enough for a kiss. Her chest and neck began to flush at the thought. Fortunately, Mary interrupted her wayward thoughts before she turned bright red all the way to her hair line.
“I guess it was romantic.” Mary shrugged. “If you believe in that sort of thing.” She peered at Georgiana. “Are you all right? You look quite flushed.”
“Have you no romantic fantasies? Nothing you’ve thought about since you were a little girl?” she asked, hoping to divert Mary’s attention from her flustered behavior.
“Me?” Mary gave an indelicate little snort. “I have been ‘out’ in Meryton society for many years with no offers, no interest shown in me by any man young or old, and do not think this will change in the near future.”
“The men of Hertfordshire are fools if they cannot see what is set before them.” Georgiana declared. About to extol Mary’s best qualities, her attention was diverted by her brother and Richard entering the room. Fitz immediately went to George and Kitty, extending his congratulations while her cousin joined her and Mary on the couch.
“You look well, Miss Bennet.” Richard said before sitting in the chair across from them.
Georgiana felt Mary start at Richard’s words. There was obviously some truth in what she said about men not noticing her.
“Thank you, Colonel.”
“Are you still at Longbourn?”
“I remain at home, if that is what you ask.” Mary replied through stiff lips and pulled herself more erect than Georgiana thought possible.
“I meant no offense, Miss Bennet. I do not keep abreast of all the gossip and only meant to inquire to your wellbeing.”
“I am quite content. In all things.”
Well said, Mary.
“Georgiana, are you and Mary ready to leave or does my son require a few minutes to gather more gossip from Hertfordshire?” Aunt Matlock had risen to her feet and looked pointedly at Richard.
“Mother, I am but inquiring after the health of Lizzie’s sister and was about to ask if Miss Bennet had continued with her shooting lessons.”
A few weeks after the incident with Viscount Stanhope, Richard insisted that Elizabeth and Georgiana know a little about pistols and how to take care of themselves if caught alone and unaware.
“I’d forgotten that you’d instructed the girls in the arts of self defense.” Lady Matlock gave a nervous laugh. “And to think Lady Catherine was concerned about the arts and allurements of young ladies. She’d succumb to apoplexy if she knew you’d shown them how to shoot.”
“After the incident at Pemberley, Darcy and I felt it imperative they know how to take care of things if we were not around.” Richard turned his attention back to Mary. “Have you continued with your lessons?”
“No, Papa is uncomfortable with me having such a deadly weapon.”
